Rep: Release of Nnamdi Kanu only solution to insecurity in south-east

Afam Ogene, a member of the house of representatives, has called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The lawmaker, a member of the Labour Party (LP) who represents Ogbaru federal constituency in Anambra, made the demand on the floor of the lower legislative chamber during plenary on Tuesday.

Calls for the release of Kanu, particularly from Igbo stakeholders, have been frequent.

Ogene said the release of Kanu is a political solution that will end the rising insecurity in the south-east.

“I am using this unique opportunity to also call on the executive that political solution to issue of insecurity is a way to look at,” he said.

“In the south-east today, there is only one line demand — release of Nnamdi Kanu — and insecurity in the south-east would be a thing of the past we believe.”

KANU’S DETENTION

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021.

In October 2022, the court of appeal in Abuja struck out the terrorism charge filed against Kanu by the federal government.

The appellate court held that Kanu’s extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to stand trial was illegal.

The federal government filed an appeal before the supreme court challenging the judgment — and also filed an amended charge before a federal high court.

The government also filed a stay of execution of the judgment in the appellate court which was granted.

The supreme court heard the case in May but adjourned it to October 5.